Happy March! It looks like winter really never came. The high yesterday was 48 degrees. It was a STORMY night. The mountain received .94" of rain and it was as windy as I've seen it. I also got treated to thunder and lightning on my last night on the mountain. It was great porch sitting entertainment. The low was 36 degrees. It was 46 degrees and clear at observation. It looks like it'll be a great day to start our run into Spring.

PS: I am trying to get to New Hampshire for my new job in late March and am looking to buy a used vehicle. I am looking for anything at/under ~$1,200 that runs. A pickup, small car with good gas efficiency or motorcycle would be ideal. If any of you kind readers have any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it! Email me at jpkrol@gmail.com if you have any leads!

Best, JP

Galen

3/1/2012 12:10:56 am

Thanks JP for all you have done with the blog this "winter". As i am lucky enough to live in the Smokies i often looked up at Leconte and thought about you. Best wishes for your future travels. Hope you can return again.

Wayne

3/1/2012 12:21:30 am

JP, Thanks for a winter of good posts and pictures! Wish you would have meet your little bobcat friend. Happy travels up to NH and best of luck in your new ventures.

Sheldon

3/1/2012 12:30:53 am

Thanks for your work and insight. Happy trails....

Amanda

3/1/2012 12:46:01 am

Hi JP, I've followed your posts throughout the winter and really enjoyed all your stories with dollops of transcendentalism. I'm headed up to LeConte on Sunday and was hoping to meet you, and perhaps bring you some Barbara Kingsolver, but another time I guess. Good luck in NH and enjoy your summer!

PS - if you like Kingsolver, you might also like Lee Smith. Fair and Tender Ladies is one of my all-time favs.

JP

3/1/2012 11:20:40 am

Hey Amanda,

I'll still be up helping out with airlift. You'll see me around!

Susan Berger

3/1/2012 01:17:18 am

Thank you for an amazing blog this winter! Every morning I had to start the day with the blog and the pics and quotes each day were absolutely wonderful and inspirational! The love of the mountain really shined through you and kept it alive for all of us. I can't wait to get back up! My girls and I have hiked up twice via Alum Cave trail and I would love to see some of those places you had mentioned!

Best wishes on your new adventure in NH and I hope you can come back next winter! Take care!

Jim H

3/1/2012 01:35:19 am

Have enjoyed your blog every morning. Good kuck and best wishes in your new job.

Gina

3/1/2012 01:38:07 am

Best of luck to you! I to have thoroughly enjoyed you this winter also. Like the first poster here, I am lucky enough to live here in the Smokies also over in Maggie Valley, NC. I have reservations at the lodge in April and will be hiking Alum Cave for the first time. Cant wait to see all the places along the trail you have mentioned. Take Care.

Old Hiker

3/1/2012 01:50:05 am

Thanks JP for the wonderful read all winter. Have hiked up three times, and you truly are blessed to have had the mountain to yourself for several months. Your photos are amazing. LeConte is a special place, and I appreciate seeing through your lens each day.
Best of luck to you on your new adventure!

Candy

3/1/2012 01:47:17 am

It is just so sad to see you go....your pictures and your youthful inspiration will be missed....travel well and God bless.

whiteout

3/1/2012 02:40:37 am

U back next year? It has been GREAT this year with u up top.

Tony Ga

3/1/2012 02:51:22 am

Happy Trails JP!!!

Lisa

3/1/2012 03:01:26 am

JP, have been a reader of this blog for over a year now but have absolutely loved your perspective! Sorry that you didn't receive more snow than you did and you didn't get to meet the elusive bobkitten! Hope life treats you well and new adventures are around the bend! I have been to the Smokies many times but have never made the hike up. That is now on my bucket list!

Steve Hixson

3/1/2012 03:04:43 am

Really enjoyed your photography and commentary this winter. Did not make it up there myself, but almost feel like I did through your images and words. Thanks! Best wishes in your future travels.

Jen

3/1/2012 03:39:15 am

I would really like to thank you for a wonderful winter view of LeConte that I see from our house in Knoxville everyday it is clear. Your insights into nature, philosophy, and literature has been most enjoyable and I am sad to see it end. Hope you feel refreshed and renewed and find peace in your future ventures. Remember the oldies. God Bless!

Jessica

3/1/2012 03:42:44 am

I have really enjoyed your posts and pics this winter. Like another reader said your blog is the first thing I go to each morning to get my day started right. I will miss your inspirational pictures and quotes. I have never hiked up to Mt. LeConte, but it is now on my bucket list. I feel like I have been on the mountain wiht you all winter. Good luck in your new job and adventures

JP, I will miss your photos and your quotes. You have been an entertaining, inspirational and thought provoking blogger this winter. Good luck to you!

Ed

3/1/2012 11:02:20 am

Thanks for the great pics and posts, sorry you didn't get the winter you want but we don't get to chose our weather, winter will return when it 's ready. Hope you return for another stay. Have a great time in New Hampshire.

Thanks JP for all the great photos this winter, I truly enjoyed seeing all the different views of the mountain. Blessings with your new job in New Hampshire. Sorry you didn't get all the snow you hoped for. Hope to see you on the blog in winter this year.

Jo

3/2/2012 01:27:20 am

Thanks JP!! You made the blog very interesting this "winter"!! Good luck to you!!
Happy Hiking!!

Comments are closed.

LeConte Lodge

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